hit squads
Hired killer groups
Hit squads are groups organized to kill targeted individuals.
The term applies to death squads operating under government direction, teams of assassins working for criminal organizations, or military units assigned to eliminate specific enemies: The dictator deployed hit squads against dissidents.
The phrase sometimes appears loosely for any group sent to attack or discredit someone: The campaign dispatched a hit squad to dig up dirt on opponents.
Murder of a prominent figure
- contract killingPaid assassination job
- hitmanProfessional paid murderer
- mafiaCriminal organization using intimidation
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
gangland · underworld · enforcer · mobster · syndicate · capo · godfather · kingpin
Paid murderer of targets
- operativeCovert field agent
- contractorHired construction professional
- gunmanArmed violent person
- commandoSpecial operations soldier
bounty hunter · soldier of fortune · sniper · sharpshooter · extraction · saboteur · tracker · agent
Act of going missing
- political assassinationKilling for governmental change
- state terrorGovernment-sponsored political intimidation
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
- regimeSystem of governance
repression · suppression · covert operations · black ops · clandestine · targeted killing · counterinsurgency · militia
Elite unconventional warfare troops
- SEALsNaval special forces
- rangersPark patrol or commandos
- commandosElite assault troops
- tactical unitOrganized combat group
kill team · strike team · reconnaissance · snipers · paratroopers · covert ops · night vision · breach
assassination
Murder of a prominent figure
- contract killingPaid assassination job
- hitmanProfessional paid murderer
- mafiaCriminal organization using intimidation
cartel · gangland · underworld · enforcer · mobster · syndicate · capo · godfather · kingpin · liquidation
assassin
Paid murderer of targets
- operativeCovert field agent
- contractorHired construction professional
- gunmanArmed violent person
commando · bounty hunter · soldier of fortune · sniper · sharpshooter · extraction · saboteur · tracker · agent · merc
disappearance
Act of going missing
- political assassinationKilling for governmental change
- state terrorGovernment-sponsored political intimidation
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
regime · repression · suppression · covert operations · black ops · clandestine · targeted killing · counterinsurgency · militia · vigilante
special forces
Elite unconventional warfare troops
tactical unit · kill team · strike team · reconnaissance · snipers · paratroopers · covert ops · night vision · breach · insertion
- insurgentsinsurgent, guerrillas, guerrilla, rebel, resistance fighters
hit squadsbodyguards
Personal protection agents
personal security · safe houses · Secret Service · executive protection · protective services
hit squadsSecret Service
Federal protective law enforcement
Praetorian Guard · shields · protectors · saviors · witness protection
hit squadsrescue teams
Groups saving endangered people
search and rescue · peacekeepers · medics · first responders · paramedics